Linda H. Belcher

Linda Howlett Belcher (born September 28, 1948) is an American educator and politician. She is a three-time member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 49th district, which covers parts of Bullitt County.

Linda Belcher
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 49th district
In office
February 21, 2018 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byDan Johnson
Succeeded byThomas Huff
In office
January 6, 2015 – January 5, 2017
Preceded byRussell Webber
Succeeded byDan Johnson
In office
January 6, 2009 – January 8, 2013
Preceded byLarry Belcher
Succeeded byRussell Webber
Personal details
Born
Linda Howlett Belcher

(1948-09-28) September 28, 1948
Shepherdsville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLarry Belcher
EducationEastern Kentucky University (BA)
Western Kentucky University (MA)
OccupationEducator

Early life and education

Belcher was born in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Arts in elementary education from Western Kentucky University.

Career

Outside of politics, Belcher worked as an elementary teacher and was a member of the Little Flock Christian Academy School Board. Belcher served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2017 as a Democrat. She succeeded her husband Larry Belcher in the Kentucky General Assembly after he was killed in an auto accident.[1][2]

In 2016, Belcher was defeated for re-election by Republican Dan Johnson.[3] Johnson committed suicide in December 2017, two days after elements of his criminal past had been exposed. Belcher ran again for the open seat in a district which president Donald Trump had won with 72% of the vote. Dan's widow, Rebecca, was chosen by Republican officials as their replacement nominee, to oppose Belcher in a special election. Belcher recaptured her old seat with 68% of the vote.[4][5] She lost to Republican Thomas Huff in the general election of November 2018.[6]

Election results
DateElectionCandidatePartyVotes %
Kentucky House of Representatives, 49th district
Nov 4, 2008[7] General Linda Belcher Democratic 10,954 53.96
Trina Summers Republican 9,347 46.04
Larry Belcher died in office; seat stayed Democratic
Nov 2, 2010[8] General Linda Belcher Democratic 7,878 50.32
Russell Webber Republican 7,777 49.68
Nov 6, 2012[9] General Russell Webber Republican 11,329 52.81
Linda Belcher Democratic 10,124 47.19
Nov 4, 2014[10] General Linda Belcher Democratic 6,675 52.92
Michael Nemes Republican 5,938 47.08
Nov 8, 2016[11] General Dan Johnson Republican 9,342 50.42
Linda Belcher Democratic 9,186 49.58
Feb 20, 2018[12] Special Linda Belcher Democratic 3,386 68.45
Rebecca Johnson Republican 1,561 31.55
Nov 6, 2018[13] General Thomas Huff Republican 8,680 59.41
Linda Belcher Democratic 5,930 40.59

Notes
  1. Votersmart.org.-Linda Belcher
  2. Williams, Chris (December 14, 2017). "Rep Dan Johnson's widow: I want to replace him in Frankfort". whas11.com. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  3. Cheves, John (November 20, 2016). "How did candidate disowned by GOP for racism end up winning?". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 1A.
  4. Novelly, Thomas (February 20, 2018). "Linda Belcher defeats Rebecca Johnson to reclaim District 49 seat". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  5. Carter, Brandon; Wilson, Reid (February 20, 2018). "Dem wins Kentucky state House seat in district Trump won by 49 points". The Hill. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  6. "Huff wins Ky. House of Representative's District 49 race".
  7. "Official 2008 General Election Results". Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  8. "Official 2010 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  9. "Official 2012 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  10. "Official 2014 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  11. "Official 2016 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  12. "Cumulative Report - Unofficial - Special Election Held on February 20, 2018" (PDF). Bullitt County Clerk. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  13. "Official 2018 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved November 4, 2019.


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